Sole-protector



(No Model.)

J. F. PRATT sou; PROTECTOR.

No. 327,194. Patented Sept. 29, 1885.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- JAMES F. PRATT, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SOLE-PROTECTOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 327,194, dated September 29, 1885.

Application tiled March 22, 1884. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES F. PRATT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new provements in Sole-Protectors, of which the following is a specification, to wit:

This invention relates to an improvement in sole-protectors for boots and shoes; and it consists in certain peculiarities of the construction and arrangement of the same, substantially as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In order to enable others skilled in the art to which my invention appertains to make and use the same, I will now proceed to describe its construction and operation, referring to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a perspective view of my soleprotector. Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the same, and Fig. 3 is a side view of the same applied to a boot or shoe sole.

A represents a sole-plate, consisting of two skeleton plates pivoted together at the center of the toe, and having their rear ends extended under the shank of the shoe, as at a a. These two ends a cross each other, as shown, and are provided with slots a a, through which passes a small bolt, a having a thumb-nut, a upon it for securing them together.

The two parts of the plates or protector are provided with upwardly-extending lugs 12 b, which clasp the edges of the shoesole, and firmly hold the device in place.

B represents a half-sole of asbestus, placed between the sole of the shoe and the protector, for a purpose presently seen.

These protectors are especially intended for use upon shoes used in rolling-mills, furnaces, and similar places, where the leather is liable tobeburned. Suchshoesare usuallyprotected by filling the soles with hob-nails; but this is objectionable, as these nails become so hot as to burn the leather, and their shanks convey heat to the interior of the sole, and thus soon become loose and drop out. The shoes are also so heavy when nails are used that they. cannot be used for any other purpose.

and useful Im The plate herein shown, being made in two parts and hinged together, is quickly applied to any shoe, and as quickly detached when not wanted, while the asbestos sole protects the shoe from any bad effects of contact with the heated plate. I prefer to construct the plate with a number of corrugations or beveled projections on its under surface, which raises the shoe from the ground and prevents wear or contact with hot surfaces.

For use in mines, stone-quarries, and similar uses, the plate will be used without the asbestus sheet, and forms a perfect protection against the sharp edges of stone, and when the shoe is worn out it is readily detached and placed upon another pair, its adjustability enabling it to be quickly fitted to any shoe.

I am aware that heretofore taps or oversoles of sheet metal have been secured to the bottom of boots and shoes, and that removable sole protectors made of rims connected by bars have been used. I am also aware that ice-creepers have been applied to boots and shoes to prevent slipping, consisting of two long-spiked links jointed to toe-clamps, and having side clamps, metal loops, and fasteningstraps; but I do not claim the same.

XVhat I do claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent. is

1. In a sole-protector, a protectingsheet of asbestus, in combination with a removable and adjustable securing-plate, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. A sole-protector composing the plate A, made in two parts. hinged together at the toe, and formed with lugs 12 b for claspiug the sole, and having at their rear ends slotted arms or lugs projecting-in opposite directions and overlying each other, and a set-screw, which is passed through the slots to secure the parts after adjustment, substantially as described and shown, and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES F. PRATT.

Witnesses:

CHAS. KRESSMANN, WV. 0. MOARTHUR. 

